Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles Swimming Pool
In 1866 there was a discovery of a layer of hot water underground in a particular area of
Paris which was responsible for the construction of a Hot Springs bath and shower back in
1908 called the Bains Douches.

A first draft for a swimming pool was submitted in 1919 as there were only three public
swimming pools in the whole of Paris at this time. But through the architect leaving
the city a new project had to be devised and it was the architect, Louis Bonnier, that
filed a new construction project to create a pool on this very site in 1921 and was
approved by the city in March 1922.

The building is built on a narrow parcel of 39.5 m wide limited
by two other buildings and was the first building that had different pools for swimming
and bathing, thus separating the functions of hygiene and sport.

The Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles is like a large vault that is reinforced and supported
by seven concrete arches and the facade of the building is in an ornate Art Nouveau style
with red bricks and is situated in the 13th Arrondissement of Paris.

The water from the springs was used within the design and this is still used today through
with the use of a pumping system, plus this swimming pool was designed according to the
new health requirements that were put in place at the time to ensure that people had to go
through showers and foot baths before entering the pool.

There is a large 33 metre long by 12 metre wide swimming pool situated inside the colour
interior of the building. Outside there are two other pools that are 25m long by
12.5m wide and 12m long by 6m wide that are all still filled with the warm water drawn up
from the underground wells, which was the original natural source that was found around
500 metres underground.

Even on a cloudy day the outside pools are still pleasant to swim in

The cost for entry to The Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles swimming pool is very reasonable
in cost. However, you can even purchase a card for ten tickets, where one get
crossed off each time you visit and this works out even cheaper, so if you are staying in
Paris for a while, then this type of ticket is very worth while.

Please do bear in mind that it is compulsory to wear a swimming cap in all municipal pools
in Paris, France and only proper swimming costumes and trunks are allowed, not shorts,
etc.

Now this is where the opening times become very interesting as each days open sessions
vary!

On a Tuesday this Paris swimming pool is open from 7-8am, 11.30am-1pm and 4.30-6.30pm

Wednesday it is open from 7am through to 6.30pm

On a Thursday and Friday it opens from 7-8am and 11.30am-6.30pm

Saturday it is open from 7-8am and then 10am-6pm

The opening hours on a Sunday are 8am-5.30pm and the swimming pool is closed on a Monday,
which is the same as a lot of pools in Paris, but it is advisable to check these times as
they could change.